Overview
Graham Howes was a legendary professional kiteboarder from Cape Town, South Africa, and the founder of the extreme lifestyle brand “Dirty Habits.” Transcending the boundaries of a mere athlete, he elevated kiteboarding into a form of “play” and “art,” becoming one of the most beloved charismatic figures in the industry.
Career and Brand History
His career started as a long-time icon rider for Cabrinha. Alongside Nick Jacobsen, he supported the creative side of the brand and left behind numerous original video productions. Following Nick’s move, he also became deeply involved with the newly relaunched North Kiteboarding, acting as the spiritual pillar of the team. In recent years, he poured his passion into helping his best friend launch “The Jacobsen Project (Jacobsen Kite),” aiding in the development and spread of their new products.
Dirty Habits: A Legacy That Changed the Kite World
The “Dirty Habits” crew he founded became the biggest cultural movement in the kiteboarding world. Based in Cape Town, it gathered “adrenaline junkies” from all over the globe, continuously broadcasting to the world how free and fun the sport could be through crazy stunts, parties, and high-quality video production. Top riders naturally gravitated toward him, and many new talents took flight from that community.
Stunts and Creativity Beyond Limits
Perfectly embodied by his signature tricks—the intensely aggressive low-altitude “Dirty Loop” and the stylishly smooth “Hand Drag”—his approach was always unorthodox and brilliantly creative at the same time. His crazy stunts, like being towed by cars for massive jumps or leaping over obstacles, drove the world wild as viral videos. His content always contained humor and a pure message of “living in the moment to the fullest.”
Athlete Mentality and Philosophy
Graham also held a unique philosophy regarding the mental challenges faced by top athletes. Instead of eliminating “fear,” he constantly preached about accepting it and transforming it into “fun.” Even when facing injuries or immense pressure, his attitude of always making everyone laugh and keeping the positive energy flowing served as a mentor-like figure for many pro riders. Above all, he valued “enjoying life as a human being first, before being a professional.”
Quotes and Episodes
His guiding principles were always simple. Bonded with Nick Jacobsen by something stronger than brotherhood, the stunts they pulled off always aimed for “something no one has ever seen.” He often said:
“It’s not about how high you jump. It’s about how much you smile when you land, or how spectacularly you crash and laugh about it with your mates.”
— Graham Howes
RIP (Show Details)
In January 2025, Graham Howes passed away at the young age of 31 due to an unexpected accident in his hometown of Cape Town. His premature death sent a massive shockwave through the global kite community, but the spirit of “Dirty Habits” he left behind, and his teachings of living life to the absolute fullest, continue to live on in the hearts of many riders today.
🔗 関連リンク: Dirty Habits – Community, Clothing & Content. For The Brave.